Govt urged to give protection to telecom sector
Thursday, 24 March 2011
FE Report
Speakers at a seminar Wednesday urged the government to give protection to the telecom sector for continuing its future growth and strengthen the Information Communication Technology (ICT) of the country. They observed that cell phone is one of the major tools that plays an important role in introducing the people with the ICT across the country. Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) organised the seminar on "Digital Bangladesh: Connectivity and the Growth of Economy" at a city hotel. Adviser to the Prime Minister HT Imam was the chief guest at the seminar while State Minister of Science and Information & Communication Technology Yeafesh Osman was the special guest. Secretary of Ministry of Posts and Telecommunica-tions Sunil Kanti Bose said that the present government is working hard to bring all upazilas under optical fibre network in one year. He mentioned ICT and telecommunication as essential fundamentals for economic growth which are important to turn the country digital and a middle income country by 2021. The secretary said they will start giving third generation (3G) licence to the operators by next six months and have already published draft guideline for renewal of second generation (2G) licence. DCCI president Asif Ibrahim presided over the seminar while its former president Hossain Khaled gave a presentation on "Bangladesh 2030: Strategy for growth". The chief guest of the inaugural session, H T Imam, said the government is working relentlessly to provide better communications system at Upazila and Union level. He said it is also under government's active consideration to boost cooperation in the regional belt. He emphasised the need for including ICT related subjects in the text books. "In order to improve the outsourcing sector, we have to increase skill on other necessary languages besides English," the adviser said. DCCI president and moderator of the inaugural session Asif Ibrahim said that the ICT has a great role in the socio-economic growth of the country. He said to build a digital Bangladesh we have to ensure strong IT infrastructure. After the inaugural session a technical session was held. Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Md Abdul Karim was present as the chief guest. Chairperson of SME Foundation and Past President of DCCI Aftab-Ul Islam moderated the session. Policy Adviser of A2i programme of PMO Anir Chowdhury in his power point presentation stressed on recognition for innovation. Managing Partner of Asian Tiger (AT) Capital Partner, Bangladesh Ifty Islam in his power point presentation called for taking long term strategy for the development of ICT sector. Senior Vice President of DCCI TIM Nurul Kabir in his power point presentation said that the government should formulate necessary policies to promote call centre businesses in the country. Secretary of Planning Commission Monzur Hossain, Secretary of Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology Md Abdur Rob Howlader, BTRC Chairman Maj Gen Zia Ahmed (Retd) and Senior Vice president of Basis Fahim Mashroor were also present. Abdul Karim said to become a middle income country importance has to be given to ICT sector development. He said implementation of e-governance in all sectors is under active consideration of the government. The high officials of mobile operators including Grameenphone Chief Executive Officer Oddvar Hesjedal and Chief Marketing Officer of Robi Bidyut Kumar Basu took part in the seminar.
Speakers at a seminar Wednesday urged the government to give protection to the telecom sector for continuing its future growth and strengthen the Information Communication Technology (ICT) of the country. They observed that cell phone is one of the major tools that plays an important role in introducing the people with the ICT across the country. Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) organised the seminar on "Digital Bangladesh: Connectivity and the Growth of Economy" at a city hotel. Adviser to the Prime Minister HT Imam was the chief guest at the seminar while State Minister of Science and Information & Communication Technology Yeafesh Osman was the special guest. Secretary of Ministry of Posts and Telecommunica-tions Sunil Kanti Bose said that the present government is working hard to bring all upazilas under optical fibre network in one year. He mentioned ICT and telecommunication as essential fundamentals for economic growth which are important to turn the country digital and a middle income country by 2021. The secretary said they will start giving third generation (3G) licence to the operators by next six months and have already published draft guideline for renewal of second generation (2G) licence. DCCI president Asif Ibrahim presided over the seminar while its former president Hossain Khaled gave a presentation on "Bangladesh 2030: Strategy for growth". The chief guest of the inaugural session, H T Imam, said the government is working relentlessly to provide better communications system at Upazila and Union level. He said it is also under government's active consideration to boost cooperation in the regional belt. He emphasised the need for including ICT related subjects in the text books. "In order to improve the outsourcing sector, we have to increase skill on other necessary languages besides English," the adviser said. DCCI president and moderator of the inaugural session Asif Ibrahim said that the ICT has a great role in the socio-economic growth of the country. He said to build a digital Bangladesh we have to ensure strong IT infrastructure. After the inaugural session a technical session was held. Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Md Abdul Karim was present as the chief guest. Chairperson of SME Foundation and Past President of DCCI Aftab-Ul Islam moderated the session. Policy Adviser of A2i programme of PMO Anir Chowdhury in his power point presentation stressed on recognition for innovation. Managing Partner of Asian Tiger (AT) Capital Partner, Bangladesh Ifty Islam in his power point presentation called for taking long term strategy for the development of ICT sector. Senior Vice President of DCCI TIM Nurul Kabir in his power point presentation said that the government should formulate necessary policies to promote call centre businesses in the country. Secretary of Planning Commission Monzur Hossain, Secretary of Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology Md Abdur Rob Howlader, BTRC Chairman Maj Gen Zia Ahmed (Retd) and Senior Vice president of Basis Fahim Mashroor were also present. Abdul Karim said to become a middle income country importance has to be given to ICT sector development. He said implementation of e-governance in all sectors is under active consideration of the government. The high officials of mobile operators including Grameenphone Chief Executive Officer Oddvar Hesjedal and Chief Marketing Officer of Robi Bidyut Kumar Basu took part in the seminar.